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What Causes Low Body Temperature?
Question: My body temperature drops down to as low as 91 degrees fahrenheit as measured on multiple thermometers (including basal thermometers) after I drink cold glasses of water. Unless it is very cold in the environment I am in, it will typically climb back up to my normal body temperature relatively quickly. Is this normal for body temperature to drop this low after drinking cold water?
Brief Answer:
Are you taking oral temperature?
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
I need to know whether you are checking the temperature orally?
If you take cold water the low temperature of the water will reduce the temperature of the oral cavity and later of the body as well.
The temperature taken orally will almost certainly record this fluctuation.
Obviously, when the effects of the cold water run out the body temperature returns to normal.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible. I hope that the information contained in this message will be able to help you find the best solution for your problem. Best of luck. Dr Mittal.
Are you taking oral temperature?
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
I need to know whether you are checking the temperature orally?
If you take cold water the low temperature of the water will reduce the temperature of the oral cavity and later of the body as well.
The temperature taken orally will almost certainly record this fluctuation.
Obviously, when the effects of the cold water run out the body temperature returns to normal.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible. I hope that the information contained in this message will be able to help you find the best solution for your problem. Best of luck. Dr Mittal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Mittal yes I have been taking oral temperature readings after drinking cold water. My concern is that if I am spending time outdoors in the cold, or indoors in an air-conditioned area, it can take quite a long time for my body temperature (taken orally) to go back up.
Brief Answer:
No need to worry
Detailed Answer:
see the oral temperature measures your body temperature as well as the effect of the environment on the skin.
If you go in cold environment or even bath with cold water the skin and body temperature will be less than normal.
The body preserves the heat for the core organs.
Once you return to the normal surrounding the effect of the cold goes away.
So body returns the temperature to normal.
As long as the body is in colder environment than normal it will remain cooler than normal.
This is absolutely normal. it's normal physics that the body follows.
Relax.
Dr Mittal
No need to worry
Detailed Answer:
see the oral temperature measures your body temperature as well as the effect of the environment on the skin.
If you go in cold environment or even bath with cold water the skin and body temperature will be less than normal.
The body preserves the heat for the core organs.
Once you return to the normal surrounding the effect of the cold goes away.
So body returns the temperature to normal.
As long as the body is in colder environment than normal it will remain cooler than normal.
This is absolutely normal. it's normal physics that the body follows.
Relax.
Dr Mittal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Sheppe if it is the case that it is totally normal if one's body temperature per oral temperature readings is around 91 degrees fahrenheit for several hours at a time when exposed to sustained cold external temperatures, how would one know - and how would a medical professional make a diagnosis of - hypothermia? I had thought hypothermia was defined as body temperatures below 95 degrees fahrenheit.
My respectful apologies - I meant to say Dr. Mittal.
My respectful apologies - I meant to say Dr. Mittal.
Brief Answer:
Doubt cleared
Detailed Answer:
an excellent question.
The difference is that the body is recovering temperature.
In the other conditions the body doesn't recover temperature quickly.
in fact it's resistant to the heating and complications occur while heating the body.
I hope that explains the doubt.
Best of luck. Dr Mittal.
Doubt cleared
Detailed Answer:
an excellent question.
The difference is that the body is recovering temperature.
In the other conditions the body doesn't recover temperature quickly.
in fact it's resistant to the heating and complications occur while heating the body.
I hope that explains the doubt.
Best of luck. Dr Mittal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Mittal! Reason I am asking some specific questions along these lines is because I was poisoned with a toxic mold mycotoxin called trichothecenes, which are used in biological warfare, and which can cause hypothermia. In that context, as regards assessing possible trichothecene-induced hypothermia, if I were to take my body temperature via my armpit instead of my mouth, are there any rules of thumb I can navigate by in terms of (a) temperature recovery time taking abnormally long or (b) heating resistance/complications?
Brief Answer:
Explained
Detailed Answer:
arm pit temperature is not reliable.
Best is rectal temperature.
Since this is normal you need not worry about complications.
Best of luck.
Dr Mittal.
Explained
Detailed Answer:
arm pit temperature is not reliable.
Best is rectal temperature.
Since this is normal you need not worry about complications.
Best of luck.
Dr Mittal.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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